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Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords] 2025-06-10
10 June 2025
Lead MP
The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Economy
Other Contributors: 15
At a Glance
The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms raised concerns about data (use and access) bill [lords] 2025-06-10 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Today I am moving amendments to the Lords message regarding the Data Use and Access Bill. This is not an AI Bill and it does not propose changing copyright in any regard whatsoever. The enforcement of copyright law is not a matter for Government but rather actionable by copyright owners under Chapter VI of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. In response to persistent Lords concerns, we are adding two further reporting requirements on approaches to models trained overseas and on how transparency and other requirements should be enforced. We will deliver an economic impact assessment within nine months instead of twelve. Additionally, a new requirement for the Secretary of State to make a progress statement to Parliament about these documents within six months of Royal Assent is introduced. The Government are committed to ensuring considered and effective solutions through consultation and working groups with AI and creative industry representatives.
Julian Smith
Con
Skipton and Ripon
Question
The right hon. Gentleman knows that I am not going to do that. He also knows that the enforcement of copyright law is not a matter for Government because it is not the Government who enforce it. We are not changing any measures in copyright law.
Minister reply
We acknowledge the strong feelings expressed in both Houses about the need to protect the intellectual property rights of 2.4 million people who work in the creative industries, including tech industries celebrating London Tech Week.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Question
The amendments miss out transparency which is crucial for the House of Lords, the creative sector, and artists. Why won't you compromise?
Minister reply
The single most important compromise will be between the AI sector and the creative industries sector over the next few months. We need a comprehensive picture that includes all aspects to reach a proper compromise solution.
Knowsley
Question
How will parliamentarians be chosen for the advisory group?
Minister reply
The Government will convene a series of meetings with a cross-party group of Members, including MPs and peers, to keep interested parliamentarians informed on progress before formal proposals are brought back to Parliament.
Meg Hillier
Lab/Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Question
Late emails were sent suggesting an approach without proper scrutiny. Was this appropriate?
Minister reply
I completely agree that policy development is separate from scrutiny through Select Committees or Houses of Parliament. I apologise for the inadvertent sending of emails to the wrong address and all related issues.
Chris Vince
Con
Question
Will part of its remit be to invite members of the creative industry in to discuss their concerns and how we can work together to solve them?
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that once the group is formed, they will engage members of the creative industries and tech companies to discuss concerns and solutions.
Emily Darlington
Lab
Question
Why did the last Government not take any initiative to ensure creatives receive their just rewards for their creativity?
Minister reply
The Minister stated that previous consultations have created uncertainty, leading to problems in the current legislation.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Question
What did the last Government do on this issue?
Minister reply
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology clarified that the previous working group was cancelled by the last government.
Alison Hume
Lab
Scarborough and Whitby
Question
My hon. Friend says that the prospects for both industries have improved. I have spoken in this place about my previous role as a screenwriter—I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests—and this week, the British Film Institute reported that AI threatens the British film industry, with over 130,000 scripts having been plundered... Does my hon. Friend agree that if we fail to take this opportunity to deal with transparency and put powers to legislate on the face of the Bill, we will be leaving screenwriters and other creatives high and dry until we legislate in the future?
Harpenden and Berkhamsted
Question
Just three months. After all the discussions and the cries for fairness from the creative industries, which have seen the daylight robbery of their life’s work, the Government are sending back an amendment that, in essence, changes the economic assessment from 12 months to nine months, with a progress statement and some expansion... Who will be the guardians of this creative galaxy? Why does this theft feel a little less heroic than Robin Hood?
Samantha Niblett
Lab
South Derbyshire
No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.
Pete Wishart MP
SNP
Question
I am extremely grateful, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I will not detain the House, as I have just a few comments to make. Let me begin by saying that it is an absolute pleasure to follow the Chair of the Select Committee, the hon. Member for Gosport (Dame Caroline Dinenage).
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Question
Will the Minister give way?
Minister reply
Okay, although my hon. Friend was not here earlier.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Question
I commend the Government for engaging in a cross-party discussion about AI but stress that from the beginning tech companies must understand transparency is an absolute requirement. If they do not deliver, what will the Minister do?
Minister reply
We have always said that transparency is absolutely key to our ability to deliver the package we wish to put together, but it is only one part of a larger puzzle.
Question
I point out to the hon. Member for Gosport (Dame Caroline Dinenage) that some of the items on the amendment paper are things that the two Select Committees asked us to do. The last Government introduced plans that would have produced a text and data mining exemption for commercial exploitation without additional protections for creative industries.
Minister reply
We have moved significantly since the introduction of the Bill, listening to both peers and creative industry representatives. We aim to keep the copyright regime robust so those in creative industries can be remunerated as they deserve.
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